Monotremes

Monotremes

• They are egg-laying mammals native to Australia and New Guinea.
• Presently there are 5 living species of monotremes:
  • Platypus, Short-beaked echidna, Long-beaked echidna & 2 species of Zaglossus.

• Characteristics:
  • Unlike most mammals, monotremes lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young.
  • Monotremes like the platypus and echidnas use electroreception to locate prey, particularly in aquatic or subterranean environments.
    • Electroreception is the ability to detect electrical signals in the environment
  • Cloaca: A single opening for excretion, reproduction and waste elimination, a feature shared with reptiles and birds.
  • In monotremes milk is secreted through specialized skin patches or mammary glands.

Sharing is caring!